Automatic coin counter and bank



NOV. 3, 1936. Q 5 ENGLEMANY 2,059,936 v AUTOMATIC COIN COUNTER AND BANK Filed Nov. 13, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTO'R 37 mym% ATTORNEY NOV. 3, 1936. c NG MAN 2,059,936

AUTOMATIC COIN COUNTER AND BANK Filed Nov. 13, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1936. c F EN EMAN' 2,059,936

AUTOMATIC COIN COUNTER AND BANK Filed Nov. 13, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ,ZWi

INVENTOR ATTCRNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 z m I? m J m i. A a R ,3 xi 9 Nov- 3, 1936. c. F. ENGLEMAN AUTOMATIC COIN COUNTER AND BANK Filed NOV. 13, 1955 Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic coin counters and banks and has for an object to provide a device of this character which will count all the common coins such as pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars, and deposit them in a deposit box in the lower part of the bank.

A further object is to provide a novel operating lever, and coin carrier, assembled so that the device can be operated by a single rotary motion imparted to the carrier.

A further object is to provide novel counting mechanism which operates with minimum actuation of the counting wheels so that the long life and durability of the bank is greatly promoted.

A further object is to provide novel means for opening the door of the deposit box automatically when a predetermined total amount, say $20 in coins, has been put into the bank.

A further object is to provide a convenient means for manually resetting the counting wheels to zero at any time.

A further object is to provide novel means for preventing travel of the operating lever until the coin is inserted properly in the coin slot.

A further object is to provide novel means for insuring that the operating lever will always be moved to its limit of travel in one direction before it can be moved in the opposite direction.

A further object is to provide novel means whereby the coin is held at the initial point of insertion in the coin slot until near the end of the travel of the operating lever and is then released while the carrier is still in motion toward the slot through which the coin enters the deposit box, this construction resulting in quicker release and deposit of the coin in the box.

A further object is to provide a novel slotted plate and controlling means therefor, the latter returning the slotted plate to its initial position before the operating lever begins its return travel, this construction preventing the pawls, which work through slots in the plate to turn up the counting wheels, from riding the teeth of these wheels during the return travel of the operating lever.

A further object is to provide a combined coin counter and bank which may be used primarily to count coin money or may be used as a self-counting bank-if it is desired to make deposits at different times and let the amount accumulate until it is desirable to remove it or until a predetermined sum has been accumulated A further object is to provide a device of this character in which counter wheels of the higher order may be turned directly without having to turn up the first or lower order so as to get through it the desired action on the other wheels, in contrast to coin-counting mechanisms in which the wheels other than the first are kept locked in one position until carrying action is to take place.

With the above andother objects in View the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a combined coin counting mechanism and bank constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure-1, showing the mechanism whereby one counting wheel picks up the adjoining counting wheel. I

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the carrier and coin slots.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing the operation of the coin operated lever of the carrier in moving the slotted plate to properly locate the pawls of the operating lever with respect to the counting wheels when any particular coin is to be counted.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the device with the cover plate removed and with the carrier and operating lever turned to the limit of movement in counting and depositing a coin.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, and showing the mechanism for automatically and manually controlling the door of the deposit box.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line I'| of Figure 6, and showing the catch of the door engaged by the locking lever.

Figure 8 is aplan view of the blank from which the notched rim of one of the counting wheels is formed and showing the three groups of numerals from 0 to 9 thereon.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the carrier and showing the coin slot, pivoted lever actuated according to the diameter of the coin, operating lever carried by the carrier, pawls for actuating the counting wheels, and notches for determining Figure 1.

the lateral displacement of the slotted plate by the coin displaced lever.

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of the slotted plate, and showing the slots therein through which the pawls engage the counting wheel, and showing the opening near the axis into which the lever held by the coin protrudes to release the coin during travel of the carrier toward the deposit box.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the flange of the slotted plate engaged in the slot or notch of the operating lever corresponding to a nickel coin to be counted.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the teeth of the flange of the slotted plate engaged by the associated detent.

Referring now to the drawings in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, 8 designates a casing which is provided with an arched top 9 having a slot 10 therein near one end wall and having a window therein laterally of the slot, as shown in The bottom of the casing is provided with a deposit box 12 having a door opening I3 at one end which is closed by a hinged door l4. As shown in Figure 3, the top [5 of the deposit box is provided with a slot l6 through which coins may enter the box, there being provided above the top of the box an arcuate guide plate I! having an oblique end I8 upon which the coin slides down through the slot into the deposit box.

By referring now to Figure 1, it will be seen that a shaft I9 is fixed at the ends to the end walls of the casing. A cylindrical carrier 20, shown in perspective in Figure 9, is provided with an axial sleeve 2| which rotatably fits the shaft and is provided with an integral operating lever 22 which extends in prolongation of the cylindrical wall of the carrier and is sufficient in length to extend longitudinally of the casing to nearly the end of the casing, as shown in Figure 5. The carrier is rotatable on the shaft l9 through an arc of about 90 in a clock-wise direction from the position shown in Figure 9 and carries the operating lever with it.

A helical spring 23 surrounds the sleeve 2| and is secured at one end to a stationary rod 24 which is disposed in the casing parallel with the shaft l9, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The other end of the spring is provided with a hook 25 which enters an opening in the end wall of the carrier as best shown in Figure 1. The circular end wall of the carrier is slotted, as shown at 24' in Figure 3, to receive the rod 24 and permit rotation of the carrier under impulse of the operators fingers. The spring 23 returns the carrier to initial position after each actuation.

The carrier is provided with a coin slot or chute 26, best shown in Figures 3 and 9, the chute extending along a chord of the cylindrical wall of the carrier and having the upper end merging into an angular depression 21 which permits of insertion of a coin in the chute and also provides a finger rest against which pressure may be applied to rotate the carrier after insertion of the coin. The lower end of the chute opens through the cylindrical wall of the carrier to permit the coin riding upon the arcuate guide plate I1 during the final stages of rotation of the carrier, as also shown in Figure 3. The coin chute is of sufiicient width to receive all of the common coins of various diameters from a dime, which is the coin of smallest diameter, to a silver dollar, which is'the i largest diameter, and including all coins therebetween such as a nickel, quarter, half dollar, and penny.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 9, a primary coin lever 28 is pivoted at the lower end in the coin chute as shown at 29 and is adapted to swing laterally of the chute. The lever is equipped at the upper end with a lateral arm 30, the two opposite edges of which are sloped oppositely to each other, as shown at 3| and 32, the edge 3| being adapted to set against a coin indicated in dotted lines at 33 in Figure 4 and the edge 32 being adapted to form a cam surface. A secondary coin lever 34 is pivoted, as shown at 35, at the upper end on the wall of the carrier and normally rests upon the cam surface 32. When a coin is inserted in the upper end of the coin chute it must be pressed forcibly downward to swing the primary coin lever 28 outwardly, the coin lever carrying with it the secondary coin lever 34, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 4. This movement of the parts is utilized to slide a slotted plate 35, best shown in Figure 10, longitudinally of the casing and away from the carrier, as shown in Figure 4. The arcuate slotted plate is provided on the upper and lower edges with guide eyes 36 and 31 'which are slidably fitted on short guide pins 38 and 39, respectively, which project from the end wall of the casing opposite the carrier as best shown in Figures 2 and 5. The slotted plate is provided at one end with a semi-circular wall 40 having an opening 4| therein to receive the guide rod 24 and is also provided with an axial opening 42 to receive the sleeve 2|.

A helical spring 43, best shown in Figure 1, surrounds the sleeve 2| and bears against the semi-circular end wall 40 at one end, and against the counting wheel 41, hereinafter described,

at the opposite end to return the slotted plate to initial position after each lateral sliding thereof by the coin operated levers. A second spring 45, best shown in Figure 4, bears with its opposite ends against said semicircular wall 40 and against a frame, hereinafter described, and this spring coacts with the spring 43 in returning the slotted plate to initial position after each actuation.

Three counting wheels 41, 48, and 49 are respectively provided with axial hubs which are rotatably fitted on the shaft IS. The flanges oi the wheels are provided with teeth 50 which are counter-parts of each other and in the present embodiment there are thirty teeth on each wheel numbered in three consecutive series from 0 to 9, inclusive, as best shown in Figure 8. These wheels are exposed through the window ll so that the total amount indicated on the wheels may be read through the window. The numerals on the wheel 49, as shown best in Figure 5, are prefixed with a dollar sign so that assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 5, the total amount of added coins, deposited in the bank, will be read from left to right, the

dollars appearing on the left, the tenths appearing on the intermediate wheel and the one hundredths on the right wheel.

Referring again to Figure 9, it will be seen that a plurality of teeth 5| are arranged on the inner face of the operating lever adjacent the upper edge thereof and in close proximity to the end wall of the coin carrier. In the slots between these teeth a guide flange 52 formed on the peripheral edge of the slotted plate is selecive y eceived as follows.

By referring to Figure 11, it will be seen that a ten cent piece, being the coin of smallest diameter, will rock the coin operated levers 28 and 34 outwardly a distance equal to the width of the inital tooth so that the guide flange 52 of the slotted plate will register with this slot and enter the slot when the carrier is rotated. When one cent, a nickel, a quarter, half dollar, or dollar is inserted in the coin chute, the coin operated levers will be rocked outwardly by the coin a distance corresponding to the diameter of the coin so that the guide flange 52 will enter the slot between the teeth corresponding to the diameter of the coin being deposited.

The purpose of the flange 52 on the slotted plate 35 being selectively engageable in slots between the teeth 5| on the operating lever is to permit pawls 53, 54, and 55 carried by the operating lever, entering slots 56, 51, and 58 to engage between the teeth 50 of the corresponding counting wheels, as'best shown in Figures 5 and 10 and rotate the counting wheels selectively when the coin carrier is rotated to deposit the coin.

The slots in the slotted plate are of peculiar formation in that the slot 56 is provided with shoulders 59, 6D and 6| disposed in stepped relation with respect to each other for the purpose of limiting travel of the associated pawl 53 to move the counting wheel 41 through a predetermined arc of travel. It will be noted that the pawl is provided with a cam projection 62 which strikes against the particular shoulder in its path and lifts the hooked end of the pawl from engagement of the teeth of the counting wheel, it being understood that the pawl is resilient and is spring pressed, as shown :at 63 in Figures 9 and 11. All of the pawls are duplicates of each other as illustrated.

The slot 51 is provided with two shoulders 64 and 65, offset with respect to each other, which limit travel of the associated pawl 54 to move the associated counting wheel 48 to a predetermined arc of travel. The slot 58 is a short slot and is provided with but one shoulder 66 which limits travel of the associated pawls 54 and 55 to move the associated counting wheels 48 and 49 through a predetermined arc of travel,

The relative relationship of the teeth 5| on the operating lever, and the shoulders of the slots 56 to 58 is such that to count a penny, the counting wheel 41, assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 5, is moved one tooth by the pawl 53 riding in the slot 56 until it engages the shoulder 59. The counting wheel 41 is turned up five teeth to register nickels and at the end of this travel of the counting wheel the pawl 53 is dislodged from the slot 56 by the shoulder 60. Dimes are countedbytheintermediate counting wheel 48 being turned up one number as the pawl 54 rides in the slot 58 and is dislodged therefrom by the shoulder 66.

Half dollars are counted by the intermediate wheel being turned up five teeth and at the end of this arc of travel the pawl 54 is dislodged from the shoulder 65. Dollars are counted by the left counting wheel 49 being turned up one number by the pawl 55 at the end of which are of travel the pawl is dislodged from the slot 58 as it impinges against the shoulder 66.

Quarters are counted by the intermediate counting wheel 48 being first turned up two teeth whereupon the right counting wheel 41 is turned up five teeth and this is accomplished by the pawl 54 being dislodged from the slot 51 by contact with the shoulder 64 after two teeth of the counting wheel 48 have been turned. The pawl 53 then rides into the slot 56 and turns the counting wheel 41 through five teeth finally riding out of the slot on the shoulder 6 I.

Each time the counting wheel 48 turns through an arc of ten teeth it carries the left or dollar counting wheel 49 with it through a distance of one tooth and to accomplish this purpose the side of the counting Wheel is provided with three laterally extended projections 61 struck from the metal of the wheel as shown best in Figure 2. These projections are located opposite the zero numerals of the wheel. Each projection impinges against a lateral lug 68 best shown in Figure 1, carried by a pivoted short lever 69, shown best in Figure 2, which is pivoted on one leg 10 of a U-shaped bracket 1|, the same being fixed stationary on the rod 24 above mentioned and on the shaft I9. The lever is provided with a pivoted detent 12 which is held yieldably engaged between two of the teeth of the counting wheel 49 by means of a spring 13 which is connected to one end of the detent and to an arm 14 projecting from the leg 10 of the bracket. When one of the projections 61 intercept the projection 68 on the lever 69, the lever is rocked on its pivot until the projection 61 passes off of the projection 68 and during this time the detent 12 has advanced the counting Wheel 49 one tooth.

When the projection 61 has released the lever 69, the detent then yieldably functions as a ratchet to prevent retrograde movement of the counting wheel. Likewise, when the counting wheel 41 on the right advances through an are equal to ten teeth it picks up and takes along with it the intermediate counting wheel 48 and to accomplish this the mechanism just described in connection with the advance of the dollar wheel by the intermediate counting wheel is duplicated as follows.

The counting wheel 41 is provided with three projections, one of which is shown at 15, in Figure 1, and these projections intercept a projection 16 on a detent 11 carried by a lever 18 which is pivoted on the other leg 19 of the U-shaped bracket 1|. As each projection 15 intercepts the projection 16 it rocks the lever 18 to move the detent 15 forwardly and advance the counting wheel 48 one tooth.

It is sometimes desirable that when a predetermined sum, for instance $15, has accumulated in the deposit box, the bank door will automatically open to permit removal of the contents. For this purpose the dollar counting wheel 49 is provided with a pair of projections 80, best shown in Figures 1 and 6, which are disposed to impinge against a lug 8| formed on an upstanding lever 82 which is pivoted on the rod 24. The end projection rocks the lever against the tension of a spring 83 which is connected to the lever and to plate guide pin 39 projecting from the end wall of the casing. The lever is pressed by the spring 83 into a notch 85 formed in a right angular tongue 86 which projects from the upper edge of the door l4 and enters the casing.

Either of the projections 80 may dislodge the lever 82 from the notch in the tongue 86 whereupon a spring 81, best shown in Figure 5, swings the door open on its hinges 88.

Each time the coin carrier 28 is manually rocked to its limit of movement, the coin will be free during the last stages of movement of the carrier and to accomplish this a projection 89, best shown in Figure 10, is formed at one edge of an opening 90 in the semi-circular wall 40 of the plate. The primary coin lever 28 rides against this projection laterally after the flange 52 has advanced beyond the particular slot in the operating lever in which it may be seated, and thereupon the lever 28 drops into the opening and frees the coin. The latter gravitates to the bottom of the chute, as shown in Figure 3, and during continued rotary movement of the carrier, rides along the curved guide plate I! until reaching the inclined slide iB where it retreats from the carrier and gravitates through the slot l6 into the deposit box.

Very near the end of rotary movement of the carrier, the teeth 5| of the operating lever release flange 52 of the slotted plate. Then springs 45 and 43 return the slotted plate. Now, as the carrier arrives at final position and the coin slips therefrom, the controlling spring 23 will immediately return the carrier to initial position, the primary and secondary coin levers 34 and 28 being cammed out of the opening by an edge of the opening 90 and returned to initial position in the coin chutes.

Since the slotted plate returns to initial position prior to the carrier returning to initial position, it will be seen that the pawls 53, 54, and 55 ride on the curved metal wall of the slotted plate 35 and cannot enter the slots to disturb the position of the counting wheels. To further guard against retrograde movement of the counting wheels, flat springs 9| are secured to the U-shaped bracket II, and have their free ends terminating in V-shaped tips 92 which enter the spaces between the teeth of the counting wheels as best shown in Figure 2.

By referring now to Figures 2 and 12 it will be seen that teeth 94 are formed on the flange 52 of the slotted plate 35' and that a spring detent 95 is mounted on the operating lever 22 to engage the teeth when the slotted plate 35' is in neutral position. The purpose of this construction is to prevent retrograde movement of the slotted plate which might occur by an unauthorized person surreptitiously shaking the bank to rock the carrier for the purpose of registering in excess of the value of the coin inserted.

In operation when a coin is inserted the slotted plate is moved into such position that the detent will travel over the teeth when the operating lever is moved downward and prevent the op erating lever returning before it is moved through the full stroke.

Since the operation of the device has been described as the description progressed, it is thought that the invention will be fully understood without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, a coin chute in the carrier, levers controlled by the diameter of a coin in the chute to extend laterally from the carrier, a slotted plate mounted to be slid laterally from the carrier by said levers, revoluble counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier, the levers disposing the plate to expose the wheels through the slots in the plate, and pawls carried by the carrier and entering the slots to actuate the counting wheels.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, an operating lever extending laterally from the carrier and longitudinally of the axis of the carrier, a plate having slots therein, means for mounting the plate to be slid toward and away from the carrier underneath the lever, revoluble counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier, means controlled by the diameter of a coin in the carrier for sliding the plate, and pawls on the operating lever adapted to project through the slots in the plate and actuate the wheels.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, an integral operating lever projecting laterally from the carrier, teeth on the lever forming slots between them, a sliding slotted plate having a flange selectively engageable in any one of said slots between the teeth, levers pivoted on the carrier and movable by a coin in the carrier to slide said plate laterally a distance according to the diameter of the coin to engage in a selected one of the slots between said teeth, revoluble counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier, and pawls on the operating lever adapted to project through the slots in the slotted plate and actuate the wheels.

4. In a device of the class descfibed, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, a sliding slotted plate, coin actuated levers on the carrier adapted to engage the plate and move the plate laterally away from the carrier, there being slots of difierent lengths in said plate, revoluble counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier, coacting means between the plate and the carrier adapted to guide said plate at a distance from the carrier determined by the extent of movement of the coin controlled levers to position selected ones of the slots in registration with selected counting wheels, and pawls carried by the carrier and adapted to project through selected ones of the slots in the plate and actuate said counting wheels.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, a sliding slotted plate, there being slots in the plate of different lengths, certain of the slots having shoulders disposed in stepped relation with respect to each other, coin actuated means on the carrier adapted to move the plate laterally away from the carrier, counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier underneath the plate, resilient pawls operatively connected to the carrier and adapted to enter the slots and advance the counting wheels selectively during rotary movement of the carrier, and means on the pawls for engaging said shoulders and withdrawing the pawls from the slots.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, a coin chute in the carrier adapted to receive coins of different diameters from a dime to a silver dollar, a lever pivoted in the chute and rocked laterally out of the chute by a coin a distance according to the diameter of the coin, a sliding slotted plate movable by said lever away from the carrier, counting wheels underneath the plate mounted coaxial with the carrier, and pawls connected to the carrier and adapted to project through the slots in the plate for actuating the counting wheels.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, a sliding slotted plate, springs for returning the carrier and the plate to initial position after each actuation, coin actuated means on the carrier adapted to engage the plate and move the plate laterally away from the carrier, counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier undemeath the plate, pawls carried by the carrier adapted to project through the slots in the plate for advancing the counting wheels, and means on the carrier adapted to release the coin actuated means prior to the carrier reaching its limit of rotary movement whereby certain of the springs may return the slotted plate to initial position prior to retrograde movement of the carrier.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revoluble coin carrier, a coin chute in the carrier, a slotted plate mounted to slide laterally toward and away from the carrier, coin actuated means in the chute adapted to engage the plate and move the plate, interfitting guide means between the plate and the carrier for guiding the carrier during rotary movement whereby the coin controlled means is relieved of pressure against the slotted plate, said guide means maintaining the plate at a predetermined distance from the carrier during rotary movement of the carrier, counting wheels mounted coaxial with the carrier, and pawls carried by the carrier and engageable through the slots in the plate to actuate the counting wheels.

CHRISTIAN F. ENGLEMAN. 

